Scoring counter

ABSTRACT

A device for keeping the scores of players engaged in competitive games or sports adapted to be flush-mounted on a suitable support, without the use of tools, for example, on the frame of a pool table. The device is readily assembled with minimum labor cost, and the components are so designed as to allow the fabrication of counters for any number of players by simple multiplication of parts.

United States Patent 1191 Forman 1 Mar. 27, 1973 154] SCORING COUNTER 3,039,684 6/1962 Sanders .235 117 R Inventor: L. Forman, Hewlett, [73] Assigneei Corpomfim, Ocean" 562,428 5/1957 Italy .235 1 D [22] Filed; J l 7, 1972 Primary Examiner-Stephen J. Tomsky A Kn 21 Appl. No.: 269,522 army Leonard S [57] ABSTRACT [52] 116/133 235/ l 55 g A device for keeping the scores of players engaged in competitive games or sports adapted to be flushz mounted on a suitable support, without the use of D l A 4 tools, for example, on the frame of a pool table. The device is readily assembled with minimum labor cost, and the components are so designed as to allow the [56] References cued fabrication of counters for any number of players by UNITED STATES PATENTS simple multiplication of parts. I

2,911,148 11/1959 Lowell ..235/80 5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHAR27 1075 FIG. 1 as SCORING COUNTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an arrangement of one or more groups of counting wheel assemblies carried in a frame adapted to be secured to a suitable support.

There may be as many assemblies in each group as the I expected maximum score of a player, for example, a group of two adjacent wheels, each bearing the digits from to 9, will allow counting from 0 to 99; three wheels from O to 999 and so on. There may be as many groups of wheels as there are players. Devices embodying the principles of the invention are sometimes carried in the frame of a pool or billiard table in a position whereat inadvertent actuation is avoided. In such case, a part of the counting wheel assembly protrudes slightly beyond the surface of a front panel for operation by the finger. The present invention relates to an improved such device, particularly with regard to low cost of manufacture, minimum number of parts, reliability, lack of maintenance and ease of installation. In particular, the present invention avoids the use of springs and ratchets characteristic of prior similar counters and the problems inherent in such features.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Broadly regarded, the invention comprises a plurality of number wheels each bearing the digits from 0 to 9 on the periphery. Each number wheel has an individual actuating wheel interengaged for mutual rotation. The two wheels are fabricated separately for low molding cost, but are interengaged in the assembly in order that the number wheel may be rotated through the medium of the actuating wheel. This latter is knurled or ribbed on its periphery to improve engagement by the finger tip and is also provided with a star wheel having points corresponding to the 10 digits. The several wheels and rings are rotatably carried on a common shaft, which is affixed to a frame. The star wheel cooperates with a spring-biased detent to retain the two wheels in the position to which they have been rotated.

Another novel feature resides in the provision of a transparent window overlying a portion of each number wheel through which the digits may be read while precluding soiling by the fingers and entry of foreign matter. The window is retained in position without the use of clips or cement in order that initial installation thereof and its replacement may be easily accomplished.

Still another feature resides in a frame which is adapted to be installed in a mortise or slot by a simple thrusting action and permanently retained therein by means of spring clips of barbed character which preclude reverse movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a counter device in accordance with the invention, with a portion broken away;

FIG. 2 is a combined side elevation and cross section taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are cross sections taken on the lines 3-3, 4-4 and 5-5, respectively, of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a detail to illustrate a window and its support; and

FIG. 7 is a view looking in the direction of the arrows 77 of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The invention device comprises a frame 10, embellished and configured on its exposed face as desired and having a shoulder 11 to limit the extent to which the assembly may be thrust into the mortise or other apertures 13 provided to receive it (FIG. 5). The frame is so designed as to lend itself to fabrication as an economical die casting. Four legs 15, 15a, 16, 16a depend from the underside of the frame 10 and all of these are bored in alignment to receive a fixed shaft 19, which may be retained axially by staking or other expedient. For ease of assembly, the bores in legs 16, 16a may be relieved into an inverted U-shape (FIG. 5).

Each number wheel 21, (four in the example in two sets of two wheels each) comprises a hub 21a rotatably carried on the shaft 19, a web 21b and a rim 21c upon which latter the digits from 0 to 9 appear. These may be incised, lithographed, silk-screened or otherwise applied.

Each number wheel 21 has an associated actuating wheel 25 integral with a star wheel 26, this component also being rotatably carried on the shaft 19. The web 25b of the wheel 25- has one or more pins 250 freely received in individual holes 21d in the web 21b. Thus the wheels 21 and 25 are caused to rotate together. The wheels 25 have a non-continuous, e.g., .dentate, periphery 31 for engagement by the persons finger. It is within contemplation to have the wheels 21 and 25 as a single part but, in the interest of low mold cost, two parts are preferred since, by so doing, grooves in the confronting faces of the respective webs 25b may be molded. Should the number wheel and actuating wheel be a single part, these grooves would have to be machined-a very expensive operation. The purpose of the grooves will become apparent subsequently.

It will be noted that, for access, a portion of the periphery of the actuating wheel 25 protrudes through an aperture 33 in the face of the frame 10. In order to preclude soiling of the number wheels 21 resulting from frequent contact and entry of foreign matter, each 7 of the apertures 33 is provided with a window 41,

which is a longitudinal segment of a cylindrical shell (FIG. 3) having its rectilinear sides spaced apart slightly less than the width of the aperture 33 for entry therein (FIG. 7), whereby to prevent dislodgment of the window 41 in a circumferential sense. Location of the window in an axial sense is achieved by providing a circular groove 42 in each of the confronting faces of the wheels 25, said grooves having inner and outer diameters such as to receive the curved ends of the window with a loose fit. By reason of the grooves 42 and the faces 33a and 33b of the aperture 33, the window floats, so to speak, and need not be positively secured by clips or adhesive. Further, by providing the aforesaid floating action, the window is free from adverse pressure forces, which might encourage fracture.

The points of the star wheel 26 define 10 valleys engageable with detent means, e.g., a spring-pressed ball 45, to retain the number wheel and its associated actuating wheel in a selected position.

The invention device may be retained in the mortise or slot provided in the table in either of two ways. If it is desired to provide for removal of the device, screws may be passed through holes 47 in the legs 15, a and into the surrounding wood or other neighboring material. On the other hand, if permanence is desired, the legs 15, 15a may be provided with resilient members 49 in the nature of leaf spring secured, as by escutcheon pins 51, to the legs 15, 15a. Each member has a sharp prong or prongs having outward bias. Thus, as will be clear from FIG. 2, the device may be readily thrust into the mortise or slot, without meeting any resistance. However, reverse movement will cause the prongs 49a to penetrate deeper into the surrounding material thus to preclude removal of the device.

From the foregoing, it will have become evident that there is disclosed a counting device of simple, reliable construction, which requires no maintenance and is easy to utilize. Moreover, the parts, with few exceptions, may be molded of plastic composition of high impact strength and wear resistance.

lclaim:

1. A counter device comprising a frame, at least two number wheels bearing digits on the periphery, means to rotatably support the wheels on the frame, an actuating wheel operatively associated with each number wheel and having arim for engagement by the finger, said number wheels being adjacent and the actuating wheels being remote, each actuating wheel being of larger diameter than the number wheel to present respective confronting circular areas, each area having an annular groove therein, the grooves confronting each other, and a substantially rectangular, transparent shield overlying the periphery of the number wheels, opposite edge portions of the shield being retained by respective portions of the frame and the other opposite edge portions being engaged in respective ones of the grooves.

2. A counter device comprising a frame, at least two number wheels bearing digits on the periphery, means to rotatably support the wheels on the frame, an actuating wheel operatively associated with each number wheel and having a rim for engagement by the finger, said number wheels being adjacent and the actuating wheels being remote, each actuating wheel being of larger diameter than the number .wheel to present respective confronting circular areas, each area having an annular groove therein, the grooves confronting each other, and a transparent shield overlying the periphery of the number wheels, said shield being a longitudinal segment of a cylindrical shell, the curved ends whereof are received in the confronting grooves and the rectilinear edges whereof are confined circumferentially by portions of the frame.

3. The combination in accordance with claim 1 further characterized in that the frame has an opening through which said digits may be viewed, said rectilinear edges abutting the margin of the opening.

4. In a counter device or the like including a framework and parts carried thereon and a flange extending laterally of the framework, said device being adapted for flush mounting in a support, the material of said support being penetrable in some degree, and the support having wall means defining an opening to receive the framework and parts with the flange abutting a marginal portion of the opening, a pair of spaced resilient members at opposite ends of the framework to retain the device in operative position on the support, each said member having an attaching end and a barbed end, said barbed end being biased in a direction away from the device, the attaching end of each member being secured to said framework and the barbed end thereof protruding from opposite sides of the framework to engage said wall means whereby the device may be mounted on the support by thrusting the same into the opening but attempted withdrawal of the device is precluded by engagement of said barbed ends in said wall means.

5. A counter device comprising a framework, a shaft supported by said framework, a number wheel supported for rotation on said shaft, said number wheel comprising a drum bearing digits on the periphery thereof, a hub carried on the shaft and a web joining the drum to the hub, an actuating wheel having a driving connection with said number wheel, for mutual rotation of said wheels, said connection comprising an aperture in one of the two wheels and a peg on the other of said wheels entering said aperture, said peg and aperture constituting a plug-intype of coupling, the periphery of the actuating wheel having a discontinuous surface for engagement by the finger and detent means for maintaining the coupled number wheel and actuating wheel in any of a plurality of selected positions. 

1. A counter device comprising a frame, at least two number wheels bearing digits on the periphery, means to rotatably support the wheels on the frame, an actuating wheel operatively associated with each number wheel and having a rim for engagement by the finger, said number wheels being adjacent and the actuating wheels being remote, each actuating wheel being of larger diameter than the number wheel to present respective confronting circular areas, each area having an annular groove therein, the grooves confronting each other, and a substantially rectangular, transparent shield overlying the periphery of the number wheels, opposite edge portions of the shield being retained by respective portions of the frame and the other opposite edge portions being engaged in respective ones of the grooves.
 2. A counter device comprising a frame, at least two number wheels bearing digits on the periphery, means to rotatably support the wheels on the frame, an actuating wheel operatively associated with each number wheel and having a rim for engagement by the finger, said number wheels being adjacent and the actuating wheels being remote, each actuating wheel being of larger diameter than the number wheel to present respective confronting circular areas, each area having an annular groove therein, the grooves confronting each other, and a transparent shield overlying the periphery of the number wheels, said shield being a longitudinal segment of a cylindrical shell, the curved ends whereof are received in the confronting grooves and the rectilinear edges whereof are confined circumferentially by portions of the frame.
 3. The combination in accordance with claim 1 further characterized in that the frame has an opening through which said digits may be viewed, said rectilinear edges abutting the margin of the opening.
 4. In a counter device or the like including a framework and parts carried thereon and a flange extending laterally of the framework, said device being adapted for flush mounting in a support, the material of said support being penetrable in some degree, and the support having wall means defining an opening to receive the framework and parts with the flange abutting a marginal portion of the opening, a pair of spaced resilient members at opposite ends of the framework to retain the device in operative position on the support, each said member having an attaching end and a barbed end, said barbed end being biased in a direction away from the device, the attaching end of each member being secured to said framework and the barbed end thereof protruding from opposite sides of the framework to engage said wall means whereby the device may be mounted on the support by thrusting the same into the opening but attempted withdrawal of the device is precluded by engagement of said barbed ends in said wall means.
 5. A counter device comprising a framework, a shaft supported by said framework, a number wheel supported for rotation on said shaft, said number wheel comprising a drum bearing digits on the periphery thereof, a hub carried on the shaft and a web joining the drum to the hub, an actuating wheel having a driving connection with said number wheel, for mutual rotation of said wheels, said connection comprising an aperture in one of the two wheels and a peg on the other of said wheels entering said aperture, said peg and aperture constituting a plug-in type of coupling, the periphery of the actuating wheel having a discontinuous surface for engagement by the finger and deTent means for maintaining the coupled number wheel and actuating wheel in any of a plurality of selected positions. 